Attorneys for Gilton and Mercado denied that the pair killed Sneed, saying the parents’ numerous pleas to various agencies for help getting their daughter back had proven unsuccessful.

A week before the killing, prosecutors said, the couple had tracked Sneed to Los Angeles, where they believed the 22-year-old was pimping their daughter. Gilton found Sneed in North Hollywood and allegedly shot and wounded him with a 9 mm handgun.

The following week, Sneed drove up to San Francisco to reclaim the girl, District Attorney George Gascón said Thursday. Mercado allegedly told Gilton about Sneed’s arrival. Gilton then drove up alongside Sneed’s Toyota Camry and fired three shots, prosecutors said.